Bananarama (album)
Encyclopedia
Bananarama is the second album released by the British girl group Bananarama
. Released in 1984, the album peaked at no.16 on the UK album chart and was certified Silver by the BPI
.
The group continued their association with producers Jolley & Swain
(who had produced some tracks on their debut album, Deep Sea Skiving
). With this album, Bananarama had their first significant U.S. success with the single "Cruel Summer
", which became a top ten hit there (the song had also been a top 10 hit in the UK in 1983). Further hits from the album included "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." (UK #3) and "Rough Justice
" (UK #23). The track "Hot Line to Heaven
" was also released as a single in the UK but failed to reach the top 40.
The original vinyl release came in an embossed sleeve and included a poster which, as well as the album lyrics and a photo of each member of the group, contained the message: "Well, a year is a long time, people change & maybe we have too – hopefully for the better! Anyway here are results of our hard work over the past twelve months. This is for you – we hope you like it. Best Wishes, love Keren X, All the best, love Sarah x, and Lots of love, Siobhan xx".
The album was dedicated to the memory of their friend Thomas ‘Kidso’ Reilly, who had recently been killed in Belfast
.
On March 19, 2007, Bananarama's first six studio albums were re-issued by Rhino Records
. All re-issues are remastered and each includes several bonus tracks, consisting of B-sides and remixes.
CD and LP US versions
2007 CD re-issue plus bonus tracks
Some mid-80's US LP and CD versions
Additional Personnel
Bananarama
Bananarama are an English female pop duo who have had success on the pop and dance charts since 1982. Rather than relying on a two part harmony, the duo generally sings in unison, as do their background vocalists. Although there have been line-up changes, the group enjoyed their most popular...
. Released in 1984, the album peaked at no.16 on the UK album chart and was certified Silver by the BPI
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
.
The group continued their association with producers Jolley & Swain
Jolley & Swain
Steve Jolley and Tony Swain were a successful pop musician, songwriting and record production duo in the United Kingdom in the early to mid-1980s, producing some of the top artists and songs of the era....
(who had produced some tracks on their debut album, Deep Sea Skiving
Deep Sea Skiving
Deep Sea Skiving is the debut album by the British female vocal group Bananarama, released in 1983. The album peaked at no.7 on the UK album chart and was certified Silver by the BPI....
). With this album, Bananarama had their first significant U.S. success with the single "Cruel Summer
Cruel Summer
"Cruel Summer" is a pop song originally written and performed by Bananarama that was a top ten hit in Britain in 1983. Singer Sara Dallin said the song "played on the darker side : it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by...
", which became a top ten hit there (the song had also been a top 10 hit in the UK in 1983). Further hits from the album included "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." (UK #3) and "Rough Justice
Rough Justice
"Rough Justice" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was the third single released from their self-titled second album in 1984....
" (UK #23). The track "Hot Line to Heaven
Hot Line to Heaven
"Hot Line to Heaven" is a song co-written and performed by English girl group Bananarama. The song appears on their second, self-titled album and was released as a single in the UK in 1984....
" was also released as a single in the UK but failed to reach the top 40.
The original vinyl release came in an embossed sleeve and included a poster which, as well as the album lyrics and a photo of each member of the group, contained the message: "Well, a year is a long time, people change & maybe we have too – hopefully for the better! Anyway here are results of our hard work over the past twelve months. This is for you – we hope you like it. Best Wishes, love Keren X, All the best, love Sarah x, and Lots of love, Siobhan xx".
The album was dedicated to the memory of their friend Thomas ‘Kidso’ Reilly, who had recently been killed in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
.
On March 19, 2007, Bananarama's first six studio albums were re-issued by Rhino Records
Rhino Entertainment
Rhino Entertainment Company is an American specialty record label and production company. It is owned by Warner Music Group.-History:Rhino was originally a novelty song and reissue company during the 1970s and 1980s, releasing compilation albums of pop, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues successes...
. All re-issues are remastered and each includes several bonus tracks, consisting of B-sides and remixes.
Track listing
CD, LP and cassette versions- "Cruel SummerCruel Summer"Cruel Summer" is a pop song originally written and performed by Bananarama that was a top ten hit in Britain in 1983. Singer Sara Dallin said the song "played on the darker side : it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by...
" — 3:35 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward) - "Rough JusticeRough Justice"Rough Justice" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was the third single released from their self-titled second album in 1984....
" — 5:07 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward) - "King of the JungleKing of the Jungle (song)"King of the Jungle" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was released as a single in Japan only from their self-titled second album in 1984...
" — 3:28 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward) - "Dream Baby" — 3:01 (Cindy Ecstasy, Rick Holliday)
- "Link" — 1:31 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
- "Hot Line to HeavenHot Line to Heaven"Hot Line to Heaven" is a song co-written and performed by English girl group Bananarama. The song appears on their second, self-titled album and was released as a single in the UK in 1984....
" — 7:19 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward) - "State I'm In" — 2:48 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
- "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." — 3:43 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
- "Through a Child's Eyes" — 3:40 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
CD and LP US versions
- "Cruel SummerCruel Summer"Cruel Summer" is a pop song originally written and performed by Bananarama that was a top ten hit in Britain in 1983. Singer Sara Dallin said the song "played on the darker side : it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by...
" — 3:35 - "Rough JusticeRough Justice"Rough Justice" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was the third single released from their self-titled second album in 1984....
" — 5:07 - "King of the JungleKing of the Jungle (song)"King of the Jungle" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was released as a single in Japan only from their self-titled second album in 1984...
" — 3:28 - "Dream Baby" — 3:01
- "Link" — 1:31
- "The Wild Life" (album version) — 3:50 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
- "Hot Line to HeavenHot Line to Heaven"Hot Line to Heaven" is a song co-written and performed by English girl group Bananarama. The song appears on their second, self-titled album and was released as a single in the UK in 1984....
" (single version) — 3:50 - "State I'm In" — 2:48
- "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." — 3:43
- "Through a Child's Eyes" — 3:40
2007 CD re-issue plus bonus tracks
- "Cruel SummerCruel Summer"Cruel Summer" is a pop song originally written and performed by Bananarama that was a top ten hit in Britain in 1983. Singer Sara Dallin said the song "played on the darker side : it looked at the oppressive heat, the misery of wanting to be with someone as the summer ticked by...
" — 3:35 - "Rough JusticeRough Justice"Rough Justice" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was the third single released from their self-titled second album in 1984....
" — 5:07 - "King of the JungleKing of the Jungle (song)"King of the Jungle" is a song written and recorded by English girl group Bananarama. It was released as a single in Japan only from their self-titled second album in 1984...
" — 3:28 - "Dream Baby" — 3:01
- "Link" — 1:31
- "Hot Line to HeavenHot Line to Heaven"Hot Line to Heaven" is a song co-written and performed by English girl group Bananarama. The song appears on their second, self-titled album and was released as a single in the UK in 1984....
" — 7:19 - "State I'm In" — 2:48
- "Robert De Niro's Waiting..." — 3:43
- "Through a Child's Eyes" — 3:40
- "Cairo" — 3:44 (Sandosa)
- "Push!" — 4:10 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
- "Rough Justice" (single version) — 3:38
- "Live Now" — 3:04 (Steve Jolley, Tony Swain, Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey, Keren Woodward)
- "Hot Line to Heaven" (album edit version) — 3:54
- "The Wild Life" (album version) — 3:50
Some mid-80's US LP and CD versions
- "Link" was not identified as an individual track on original LP issues, and an alternative version had originally appeared, also uncredited, preceding "Push!" on the B-side of the 12" of "Robert De Niro's Waiting...".
Personnel
Bananarama- Sara DallinSara DallinSara Elizabeth Dallin is an English musician mostly noted for her membership of the group Bananarama, which she co-founded with her childhood friend Keren Woodward.Dallin was born in Bristol, England...
- Vocals - Siobhan FaheySiobhan FaheySiobhan Fahey is an Irish musician and founding member of the 1980s British girl group Bananarama, and later formed the BRIT Award and Ivor Novello award winning musical outfit Shakespears Sister.-Career:Fahey was born the eldest of three daughters to Helen and...
- Vocals - Keren WoodwardKeren WoodwardKeren Woodward is an English pop singer and songwriter of British girl group Bananarama, co-founded by her long time school friend Sara Dallin and Siobhan Fahey....
- Vocals
Additional Personnel
- Peter AshworthPeter AshworthPeter Ashworth is a UK photographer. Ashworth initially specialized in music photography, between 1979 and 2000. In the 1980s, he worked with many UK bands including Eurythmics, Soft Cell, and Associates...
- Photography
Charts
| Chart (1984) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Albums Chart UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
16 |
| U.S. Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
30 |